Here’s a to-do list for Chicago mayoral candidates
Here’s a to-do list for Chicago mayoral candidates
Voters will decide the Chicago mayor’s race shortly. Here are the issues and policies the candidates should champion if they want a more prosperous and vibrant city.
By Joe Tabor, Bryce Hill, Mailee Smith
Illinois House bill would force Chicago grocers, gas stations to hire armed guards
Illinois House bill would force Chicago grocers, gas stations to hire armed guards
A state lawmaker wants to force select Chicago businesses to hire full-time, armed security guards.
By Dylan Sharkey
State retirees get nearly 40% more than what working Illinoisans earn
State retirees get nearly 40% more than what working Illinoisans earn
The typical career state worker collected $82,478 in annual pension benefits, recouping more income in 17 months of retirement than they contributed over 35 years. Working Illinoisans only earned $59,650 a year.
By Patrick Andriesen
Pritzker to end Illinois’ emergency orders after more than 3 years
Pritzker to end Illinois’ emergency orders after more than 3 years
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced he will follow President Biden and end Illinois’ disaster declarations on May 11. Most states long ago quit using emergency powers, leaving Illinois as 1 of 7 states still claiming COVID-19 is a public health emergency.
By Dylan Sharkey
Lightfoot 2nd Chicago mayor to call on Springfield for pension reform
Lightfoot 2nd Chicago mayor to call on Springfield for pension reform
Just like Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel did late in his term, Mayor Lori Lightfoot is calling for public pension reforms. Pensions are damaging cities, she said.
By Patrick Andriesen
Nearly half of Chicago Public Schools students chronically absent in 2022
Nearly half of Chicago Public Schools students chronically absent in 2022
Chronic absenteeism rates are higher in Chicago than statewide, with 49% of low-income Chicago students missing at least 10% of their days in school. That rate has nearly doubled since the pandemic.
By Hannah Schmid
Chicago Teachers Union’s mayoral candidate wants ‘suburbs tax’ on ‘the rich’
Chicago Teachers Union’s mayoral candidate wants ‘suburbs tax’ on ‘the rich’
Chicago Teachers Union lobbyist and mayoral candidate Brandon Johnson unveiled his ‘tax-the-rich’ revenue plan, including $800 million in new taxes on suburbanites and those who come to the city to work or play.
By Patrick Andriesen
Chicago Teachers Union spends $17M on Illinois political campaigns
Chicago Teachers Union spends $17M on Illinois political campaigns
The Chicago Teachers Union has funneled more than $17 million to Illinois political committees since 2010, when the militant Caucus of Rank and File Educators took over leadership. Now, one of their employees is running for Chicago mayor.
By Mailee Smith, Jon Josko
School Choice Week a reminder why Illinois families love the Invest in Kids Act
School Choice Week a reminder why Illinois families love the Invest in Kids Act
Thousands of parents, educators and organizations across the country renewed calls this week to expand school choice and give more options for students’ educations. But in Illinois, the state’s only school choice program is nearing its end.
By Patrick Andriesen
High-tax Illinois loses people, low-tax states gain in 2022
High-tax Illinois loses people, low-tax states gain in 2022
Low-tax states attract the majority of movers, while high-tax states push them away. Illinois takes nearly 13% of all money made in the state as taxes, and lost 141,656 residents in 2022.
By Justin Carlson